RE: when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
OK, looked under my RV it is solid axle and kingpin, there is some good input above, thanks.
I hate to spend big bucks but will see if I can jack it up today and look for anything obviously loose or bent, worn rubber parts.
Funny thing maybe it is just too stiff springs,
or going airbag style.
What would be interesting is getting longer bolts and doing a dual shock setup, there is plenty of room to add a shock.
RE: when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
xkmail,
You stated you'd rather fix the problem than add weight to the front end. We all would that have the F-53 chassis. But, like others and I have stated, Ford and or the coach builder specked out the heavy duty front springs and many times the coach is not built with the intended weight up front. It's kind of like putting dump truck springs on the front of an ordinary pick up. I'm not in favor of dumping $2700.00 into the front suspension either, that's why I haven't done it "Yet".
Shimmies etc can be caused by things other than worn parts too. If, as you say, on smooth pavement you get shimmies, one of the things to look at is to make sure your front tires are adequately balanced and "Trued". Motor home tires are no different than any other tire when it comes to being out of round. I've had many tires trued and it's been an incredible difference. You'd be amazed at the pile of rubber that's shaved off to make some tires "Round".
Discussions on what type of balancing, Dyna beads, lead weights, centra-balance and on and on have been talked about here. A slight but simple test would be to drive your coach for about 15-20 minutes at a somewhat higher speed and then park it and as soon as possible, raise the front end so the tires are just off the ground and put some thing as a reference point just a few thousands off the tread of the each tire. Then spin the tire slowly. Watch for the variation of distance between the reference point and the tire. Most tire dealers will tell you 60-80 thousands or more is grounds for truing the tire(s).
I did it on our present coach and it made a substantial difference. What's also neat about that is the fact that you won't need half as much weight to balance as you did before truing. You'll get longer tire mileage too. All this doesn't mean yours are out of round, it's just a suggestion to help with your problem.
Smitty, I'm not sure what's next in line for my suspension changes. People say "go to Bilsteins" and it's great help. Well, mine came with them and it's a rock. So, I don't know. I might try the FSDs at some time, but because of two things, one, the price and two, just about every place I called when I was interested in getting some, was back ordered. That was a while ago.
Scott
Thanks for the input, but again.
Replaced tires in august with new goodyear g670RV, balanced before my eyes, rides the same.
So its not the tires or the shocks, I would love to drop it off at the rv dealer for a $grand and get a free reach around on my way out the door, but sometimes it's fun to fiddle with things on your own
RE: when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
Two things you can do, 1., if you front only weighs 4,500 to 5,000lbs you should be able to safely run 70-75psi in your tires, 2., install Koni FSD shocks on your front suspension. It also helps, as others suggested if you can get more weight on your front suspension, however be sure you adjust the air pressure in your tires accordingly.
Good Luck
I already have koni front and rear shocks, I have ran the lower pressure like you say down to 70psi no improvements before or after shocks or tires
RE: when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
At what speed does this rough ride come an go, beside the 55 mph. Then does it go away at what speed?
I would say my biggest complaint is the way they cut the concrete freeways out here in Cali. They do it every 12-20 feet with a horizontal break for an expansion joint. It is especially bad on that section from the 10 east near 60 interchange through beaumont.
I have to slow down to 40mph or it will rattle my cabinets off the ceiling.
Even at 50-60mph its like riding on square tires.
Above 60mph even on smooth asphalt the whole front end shimmies.
On my slightly washboard dirt road if I do above 3mph the whole front end shimmies and bounces up and down.
My neighbor has a 2002 same length rides like a dream.
RE: when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
I did the 4 corner weigh and adjusted the psi per the spec sheet.
I was like 11K on the back and 4500 on the front/somewhere in there.
Running 80psi to 95 psi no change.
Rode my friends 2003 similar length 34', rides like a dream, same shocks tires, suspension.
Not into $2700 air bags but thanks for the advise.
I have it rented out this weekend so Monday I will do a crow bar test and see if it is king pin or ball joint.
I will also check rubber grommets on sway bar and stuff too.
RE: when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
Your F53 does not have ball joints.
You have a straight axle with king pins.
-Tom
To tell the truth I don't really know the difference between king pins and ball joints.
The manufacturer date is 4/2002 so it's right at the tail end of the BJ era..
I will post some pics, however I saw someone doing BJ on a F150 last week at the muffler shop so I will look at this closer.
Is there a similar service on the king pin if that is what I have?
when should I replace ball joints on my F53 ?
It is a 2003 with 81K.
Above 55mph the front end is real rough.
I have new goodyear tires, shocks, correct inflation.
Just rides like crap.
Is there something I can check for tolerance before I do this?
RE: waxing rv or trailer with swiffer?
It sounds like the above post is some kind of cut and paste response to any post that deals with cleaning, and some kind of advertisement in general, however this is similar to what i am looking for.
waxing rv or trailer with swiffer?
So I was out and about yesterday and saw a guy putting wax on a swiffer type sponge? and applying the wax to the side of his trailer.
Has anyone done this before?
Sure would save me a lot of time climbing up and down the ladder.
kevin
